Xavier Crone further enhanced his reputation as one of Victoria’s most promising fast bowlers by taking his first Premier Cricket five-wicket haul on Saturday.
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In just his third game at first XI level, the former Strathfieldsaye quick claimed 5-25 off 14 overs to help Carlton dismiss Prahran for 158 at Princes Park.
“He performed admirably in his first game, was better in his second game and on Saturday in his third game he was certainly even better again,’’ Carlton first XI captain Lachlan McKenna said of Crone.
“He put the ball in the right areas… it was a good wicket to bat on if you got in.
“All five wickets were caught behind the wicket which is really encouraging for such a young bowler.
“He didn’t bowl at great pace, he just bowled in great areas. His role in our team is not to be the fiery quick, more to be the accurate bowler who moves the ball in the air and off the wicket.
“He did that really well on Saturday.”
Crone’s ability to move the ball in the air and off the wicket has been a key ingredient in his impressive debut summer with the Blues.
“All eight of his (first XI) wickets have been caught behind the wicket,’’ McKenna said.
“We’ve really struggled to get wickets caught by the keeper or in the slips this year, so Xavier has made a big difference to our attack.
“Five-wicket hauls don’t come around too often at this level… he’s certainly cemented his spot in the first XI for the time being.
“He’s done everything right, he’s a good fielder and he’s really well liked, which is very important.
“He got out some experienced players on Saturday and made them look a bit silly.”
Former White Hills opening batsman Brayden Stepien made his first century for Carlton on Saturday.
Stung by his demotion to the third XI, Stepien made a brilliant 134, including 14 fours and two sixes.
“We were playing on the ground next to the third XI and it was a really measured innings by Steppo,’’ McKenna said.
“His first 40 runs were measured and then he probably went from 40 to 100 in the space of 30 minutes. From 100 to 130 he put his head down again. It was a very good innings.”
Stepien made 134 out of Carlton’s total of 256.
In the Carlton-Prahran second XI clash, former Huntly-North Epsom player Ryan Hartley took three catches behind the stumps for Prahran. One of them was former Strathdale opening batsman Trent McCormick, who made 11.
In first XI action, James Seymour made 43 from 41 balls against his former club Essendon as Casey-South Melbourne was dismissed for 188.
The former Bendigo Cricket Club junior hit seven fours in his 51 minute innings.
